Hail and Damaging Winds in Iowa, June 20 to 21, 1997

Name: Hail and Damaging Winds in Iowa, June 20 to 21, 1997
Start: 1997-06-20T22:38
End: 1997-06-21T04:40
Location: Iowa

June 20 to 21, 1997 · NWS DVN · 53 events in 19 counties and zones

Strong and damaging winds swept through Eastern Iowa and Northwestern Illinois causing several injuries and one fatality. Many large healthy, even landmark, trees were downed.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 1 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 1
Injuries: 7
Property damage: $535,000
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 53

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS DVN wrote it up.

Strong and damaging winds swept through Eastern Iowa and Northwestern Illinois causing several injuries and one fatality. Many large healthy, even landmark, trees were downed. Downed trees caused widespread power outages and blocked roads. The most severe winds tracked along portions of the Wapsipinicon River causing extreme damage to homes and cabins. Strong winds also struck the Davenport area damaging aircraft at the Airshow and killing one boy when a tree fell on the tent in which he was sleeping.

The radar

The Quad Cities radar (KDVN), 96 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 04:39 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

47 thunderstorm wind, 5 hail, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Hail, Dubuque

When: June 20, 10:38 PM CST
Where: Dubuque County, Peosta
Measured: 1.5 in hail
Coordinates: 42.450, -90.850

Thunderstorm Wind, Buchanan

When: June 21, 12:10 AM CST
Where: Buchanan County, Fairbank
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 42.630, -92.050

Man struck by falling tree when he went outside to check on his dog during the storm. Numerous trees and power lines were also downed across Fairbank.

Thunderstorm Wind, Buchanan

When: June 21, 12:12 AM CST
Where: Buchanan County, Hazleton
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 42.620, -91.900

Three foot diameter trees reported snapped at base.

Thunderstorm Wind, Buchanan

When: June 21, 12:12 AM CST
Where: Buchanan County, Fairbank
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 42.630, -92.050

Considerable damage was done to area football grandstands, a baseball batting cage, and a pressbox. Damage also reported to several roofs and cars.

Hail, Buchanan

When: June 21, 12:15 AM CST
Where: Buchanan County, 1 mi N of Lamont
Measured: 2 in hail
Coordinates: 42.620, -91.630

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: June 21, 12:25 AM CST
Where: Benton County, Vinton
Measured: 75 kt (86 mph)
Coordinates: 42.170, -92.030

86 mph wind gust reported with numerous trees and power lines downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: June 21, 12:28 AM CST
Where: Linn County, Center Pt
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 42.200, -91.780

Trees downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Benton

When: June 21, 12:32 AM CST
Where: Benton County, Vinton
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage: $10,000
Coordinates: 42.170, -92.030

Tree fell on house, numerous reports of trees downed on power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: June 21, 12:37 AM CST
Where: Linn County, Central City
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 42.200, -91.530

Numerous trees and branches down.

Hail, Linn

When: June 21, 12:40 AM CST
Where: Linn County, Coggon
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 42.280, -91.530

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: June 21, 12:42 AM CST
Where: Linn County, 4 mi N of Troy Mills
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph)
Coordinates: 42.330, -91.680

65 mph wind gust reported.

Hail, Linn

When: June 21, 12:42 AM CST
Where: Linn County, Prairieburg
Measured: 1.75 in hail
Coordinates: 42.230, -91.420

Thunderstorm Wind, Linn

When: June 21, 12:42 AM CST
Where: Linn County, Prairieburg
Measured: 57 kt (66 mph)
Coordinates: 42.230, -91.420

Winds downed a local landmark 80 foot tall Cedar tree. The tree damaged the roof of a vacant, soon to be demolished, house.

Thunderstorm Wind, Delaware

When: June 21, 12:57 AM CST
Where: Delaware County, Hopkinton
Measured: 52 kt (60 mph)
Coordinates: 42.350, -91.250

60 mph wind gust reported by Fire Department.

Hail, Delaware

When: June 21, 12:57 AM CST
Where: Delaware County, Ryan
Measured: 1.25 in hail
Coordinates: 42.350, -91.480

Thunderstorm Wind, Iowa

When: June 21, 1:15 AM CST
Where: Iowa County, Parnell
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 41.580, -92.000

Trees downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Johnson

When: June 21, 1:15 AM CST
Where: Johnson County, Countywide
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 41.620, -91.620

Countywide reports of downed or destroyed five to six inch diameter trees.

Lightning, Linn

When: June 21, 1:30 AM CST
Where: Linn County, Cedar Rapids
Property damage: $15,000
Coordinates: 42.079, -91.599 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Lightning was blamed for starting a fire in an air conditioner unit. This fire quickly spread and gutted a mobile home.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: June 21, 1:38 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, Andrew
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 42.150, -90.600

Numerous trees downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: June 21, 1:38 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, Maquoketa
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 42.070, -90.680

Large trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Keokuk

When: June 21, 3:08 AM CST
Where: Keokuk County, Delta
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 41.330, -92.330

Numerous trees and power lines down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Keokuk

When: June 21, 3:10 AM CST
Where: Keokuk County, Sigourney
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 41.330, -92.200

Numerous trees and power lines down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: June 21, 3:10 AM CST
Where: Washington County, Wellman
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage: $20,000
Coordinates: 41.470, -91.830

One home struck by several large trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Keokuk

When: June 21, 3:15 AM CST
Where: Keokuk County, What Cheer
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 41.400, -92.370

Trees and power lines downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: June 21, 3:17 AM CST
Where: Washington County, 4 mi W of Brighton
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 41.180, -91.900

Trees and power lines downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: June 21, 3:20 AM CST
Where: Washington County, Washington
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 41.300, -91.700

Numerous trees downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: June 21, 3:20 AM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Pekin
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 41.170, -92.180

Numerous trees and branches downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Louisa

When: June 21, 3:28 AM CST
Where: Louisa County, Wapello
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 41.180, -91.200

Numerous large trees downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: June 21, 3:30 AM CST
Where: Washington County, Brighton
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 41.180, -91.820

Barn blown down along with numerous trees.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: June 21, 3:30 AM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Fairfield
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 41.000, -91.980

Trees and branches downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jefferson

When: June 21, 3:30 AM CST
Where: Jefferson County, Fairfield Muni Arpt
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage: $50,000
Coordinates: 41.050, -91.970

Several aircraft and aircraft hangers damaged.

Thunderstorm Wind, Van Buren

When: June 21, 3:30 AM CST
Where: Van Buren County, Keosauqua
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage: $20,000
Coordinates: 40.730, -91.950

Numerous trees downed. One homeowner reported her windows and window fan were blown out of her bedroom. Still another damage report was that of a top torn off a grain bin.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When: June 21, 3:32 AM CST
Where: Washington County, Washington
Measured: 51 kt (59 mph)
Coordinates: 41.300, -91.700

Report of 59 mph wind gust recieved from the automated school net observing station.

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When: June 21, 3:35 AM CST
Where: Henry County, Countywide
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 40.970, -91.530

Trees down across county roads.

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When: June 21, 3:35 AM CST
Where: Henry County, Oakland Mills
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Coordinates: 40.930, -91.620

Trees and limbs downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Henry

When: June 21, 3:35 AM CST
Where: Henry County, Winfield
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage: $40,000
Coordinates: 41.130, -91.450

Winds damaged roof of farm house and destroyed one mobile home, six metal grain bins, three wooden bins, two outbuildings, and one barn.

Thunderstorm Wind, Muscatine

When: June 21, 4:00 AM CST
Where: Muscatine County, West Liberty
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Injuries: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $15,000
Coordinates: 41.580, -91.270

An eleven year old girl was injured by flying glass when a tree struck her home. The tree struck the house and smashed a window as the girl and her parents were running to the basement for shelter. The family also lost numerous trees and one grain bin.

Thunderstorm Wind, Louisa

When: June 21, 4:10 AM CST
Where: Louisa County, Grandview
Measured: 60 kt (69 mph)
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 41.280, -91.200

Barn damaged and trees downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Muscatine

When: June 21, 4:12 AM CST
Where: Muscatine County, Muscatine
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Coordinates: 41.420, -91.050

Thunderstorm Wind, Muscatine

When: June 21, 4:12 AM CST
Where: Muscatine County, 2 mi W of Pleasant Prairie
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Property damage: $40,000
Coordinates: 41.520, -90.920

Wind damage was reported to have damaged or destroyed one third of a house.

Thunderstorm Wind, Des Moines

When: June 21, 4:14 AM CST
Where: Des Moines County, Burlington Arpt
Measured: 59 kt (68 mph)
Coordinates: 40.780, -91.120

Burlington automated surface observing unit measured wind.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: June 21, 4:15 AM CST
Where: Scott County, Blue Grass
Measured: 80 kt (92 mph)
Property damage: $40,000
Coordinates: 41.520, -90.770

Winds destroyed a two story building at a local race track. This building housed the announcer's booth, concession stand, and track offices.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: June 21, 4:15 AM CST
Where: Scott County, Long Grove to 5 mi N of Long Grove
Injuries: 3 direct, 0 indirect
Property damage: $90,000
Coordinates: 41.770, -90.600

Thunderstorm winds plowed a broad path of destruction over northern Scott County and along the Wapsipinicon River. Winds tore a garage off its foundation, caused roof damage to three homes and destroyed one home completely. A person in the destroyed home was thrown out of the house and suffered cuts and bruses, on his knees and back, requiring more than 50 stiches to close wounds. Numerous trees were downed with one tree landing on a 1995 Windstar minivan and its camper/trailer, destroying both.

Thunderstorm Wind, Cedar

When: June 21, 4:15 AM CST
Where: Cedar County, Durant
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Property damage: $5,000
Coordinates: 41.600, -90.920

A flying barn door took the roof off a silo.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: June 21, 4:15 AM CST
Where: Clinton County, 2 mi NW of Delmar
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Property damage: $20,000
Coordinates: 42.020, -90.650

Winds destroyed a large barn killing one of four steers inside.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: June 21, 4:15 AM CST
Where: Clinton County, 1 mi E of Wheatland
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Coordinates: 41.830, -90.830

Numerous trees down.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: June 21, 4:15 AM CST
Where: Clinton County, Dewitt to 10 mi SW of Dewitt
Property damage: $10,000
Coordinates: 41.820, -90.750

Thunderstorm winds plowed a broad path of destruction over western Clinton County downing numerous trees across the County and along the Wapsipinicon River.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: June 21, 4:20 AM CST
Where: Scott County, Davenport
Measured: 80 kt (92 mph)
Coordinates: 41.530, -90.580

Five inch diameter trees snapped off.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: June 21, 4:20 AM CST
Where: Scott County, Davenport Arpt
Measured: 80 kt (92 mph)
Property damage: $100,000
Coordinates: 41.620, -90.580

Strong winds hit the Davenport airport on the Quad City Air Show weekend. This meant that numerous aircraft were on site and unprotected. Winds moved a C-46 300 feet into a field and flipped a Cesna C-206, causing extensive damage. Other planes were rotated between 90 and 180 degrees, including several T6 and T28 aircraft and one C-130 was turned 90 degrees. Winds also flattened every tent at the Airshow and wind blown debris caused some minor damage to two F-18 aircraft.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: June 21, 4:20 AM CST
Where: Scott County, Davenport
Measured: 80 kt (92 mph)
Deaths: 1 direct, 0 indirect
Injuries: 2 direct, 0 indirect
Coordinates: 41.530, -90.580

Winds downed a large tree into an occupied tent. One 12 year old boy was crushed beneath the tree with two others in the tent slightly injured. A fourth boy was unharmed. These four and several others were camped out in the backyard of the "family" home and were there for a family reunion. All were sleeping when the winds struck.

Thunderstorm Wind, Scott

When: June 21, 4:22 AM CST
Where: Scott County, Mt Joy
Measured: 80 kt (92 mph)
Coordinates: 41.620, -90.580

Numerous trees downed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Jackson

When: June 21, 4:30 AM CST
Where: Jackson County, Maquoketa to 3 mi of Maquoketa
Measured: 56 kt (64 mph)
Coordinates: 42.020, -90.680

Measured wind gust.

Thunderstorm Wind, Clinton

When: June 21, 4:40 AM CST
Where: Clinton County, Bryant
Measured: 70 kt (81 mph)
Coordinates: 41.970, -90.330

100 foot wide path of trees damaged.

The people who died

As the offices recorded each death: direct deaths were caused by the weather itself, indirect ones by something it set in motion.

Event	Date	Age	Sex	Where	Kind
Thunderstorm Wind, Scott	1997-06-21	12	Male	Under Tree	Direct

What these are

Hail: Hail three-quarters of an inch or larger, or smaller hail that caused damage, filed with the largest stone measured.
Thunderstorm Wind: Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Lightning: A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Iowa in 1997 Every state in 1997 This day in weather history Warnings in Iowa, June 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5605479, 5605480, 5605481, 5605482, 5605483, 5605484, 5605485, 5605486, 5605487, 5605488, 5605489, 5605490, 5605491, 5605492, 5605497, 5605493, 5605494, 5605495, 5605496, 5605498, 5605499, 5605500, 5605501, 5605502, 5605607, 5605608, 5605609, 5605610, 5605611, 5605612, 5605613, 5605614, 5605615, 5605616, 5605617, 5605618, 5605623, 5605619, 5605620, 5605621, and more.